Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers said: Peter Willis was not only a giant of the industry, he was one of the kindest people you could ever meet. For the English cricketer, see Simon Willis (cricketer). His stories remain on the BBC Scotland News website. Switzerland offers much to do year-round, though summer and winter are the most popular seasons to visit. WebSimon Willis is a British journalist, who worked for BBC Look North (North East and Cumbria) from 1983 until 1999 as a reporter and presenter before moving to BBC If he bumped into members of the RoyalFamily or celebrities anywhere, in any context, his opening gambit was always: I hope well be seeing you at Pride of Britain this year? The sensible ones knew But of course, Peter was the only acceptable response. He was involved with a series of films Sea Kayak with Gordon Brown, podcast interviews, and a book The Scottish Sea Kayak Trail, Europe's first long distance trail for sea kayakers which he developed. A big part of the 90s re-shaping at R1. We all stood to attention holding rolled up copies of The Mirror like swords at a military wedding. And it was the perfect recipe. Deeply saddened to hear about #PeterWillis . It is one time you might see the Swiss really letting loose. The TV couple, who used to work together on the regional news He taught me the basics of editing back in the 90s. Pair fine pinot noirs, chasselas, and quintessential Swiss mountain landscapes with a traditional fondue or raclette. For some reason the folks at TravelWriting2 wanted to interview meme! What a shame. One of Peters craziest, most ingenious ideas was to stage the so-called Mirror Wedding in Piers Morgans expansive corner office. And get celebrities to take a back seat for a change and do the saluting. Reach has offered grief counselling and support for staff and said it will make a meeting room in its Canary Wharf headquarters available for anyone who wants to meet and talk about the news in person. Some of them require work to reach the reward, while others are a mere tram ride away. Many towns play host to a plethora of summer festivals. BBC producer Simon Willis has died after being poorly for some time his colleague Zoe Ball, 50, confirmed today. Switzerland has pioneered one of the most efficient and sustainable transit systems in the worldand rather than buying individual journeys, travelers can access it all using the Swiss Travel Pass. This is devastating news. (@lisamarks) June 29, 2021, My days working on the Bizarre desk at The Sun were some of the best days of my life. And, he would start that day with just as much vigour and determination to make the Mirror brilliant again. In 2006 he made two documentaries for BBC Radio 4 investigating the complexities of dismantling the Dounraey nuclear facility in northern Scotland. Simon, from Aspley Guise, near Milton Keynes, was a keen supporter of Brain Tumour Research. RIP https://t.co/wPZjAzL5gW, Claudia Connell (@Claudiacc) June 28, 2021. He enjoys telling stories of marine and land-based conservation, Indigenous stewardship, regenerative travel, and innovation in science and technology. We were blessed to have spent many many precious moments with him throughout our lives together and in the recent months and weeks when he was poorly. Columnist Sue Carroll picked a young couple from Exeter who had written in with a touching love story. Peter was one of the first people working in Fleet Street I dealt with as a young provincial reporter. RIP pic.twitter.com/2LuPVK8Ay0, Michael Greenwood (@greenwood100) June 28, 2021. The positive impact of telling their stories will be a significant part of his legacy. He also covered Mark & Lard, the Official Top 40 and was a member of the Radio 1 Playlist Committee. In the Alps, glitzy ski resorts exhibit fur boots and Ferraris, but there are also family destinations where children master their first snowplow. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. This byline is mine, but I want my name removed. The snowman cometh: one mans fight to save skiing. Sun editor Victoria Newton said: Peter is remembered at The Sun as a brilliant story-getter and a kind, much-loved colleague. For example, in June 2003, he hireda Prince William lookalike to sneakinto an intimate family birthday party thrown for the notorious Windsor Castle gatecrasher Aaron Barschak. I never did met anyone who knew Nik Kershaws back catalogue like Willy. He worked for BBC Look North (North East and Cumbria) from 1983 until 1999 before moving to BBC Scotland as a correspondent and presenter on Newsnight Scotland until 2009. I know that Peter was a much-loved colleague and achieved so much during his career, in particular as the driving force behind the Pride of Britain Awards that have become a national event. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Friends and ex-colleagues of former BBC Radio 1 producer, Simon Willis, have been paying tribute to him, following news he passed away this week, following a My husband Steve & Willy. He agonised over its content and cajoled the great and the good to attend though such was the shows popularity that even A list celebrities would plead for tickets. The countrys three main languages are French, German, and Italian (a small minority also speaks Romansh). RIP Peter and thank you for that sunny afternoon on the Common. People quickly began to share tributes to Willis, a well-known Fleet Street figure, on Twitter and via email to Press Gazette. Simons brother, Mark, shared the sad news via social media: Mark Goodier wrote: Simon was head of content at Wisebuddah for 5 years. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. When Im not pestering poor tortoises, I write about travel. https://t.co/o7x7ngQxeu, Victoria Kennedy (@vixkennedy) June 28, 2021, Truly the most awful news. Without a doubt, the ski facilities are the main draw in winterthough ice skating, ice climbing, and Christmas shopping are great side shows. The reception was held at Marco Pierre Whites Criterion restaurant in Piccadilly Circus. Ill never forget his smile, charm and great chat. As Peters former deputy editor I saw, each day, the kindness, compassion and drive that ran through everything Peter did in life. Peter Willis was a great man. Tonight I shall be raising a glass to Simon Willis who sadly passed away today. What struck me about Peter more than anything was the interest he always took in the lives of his journalists outside the newsroom. His legacy in creating the Pride of Britain awards will be unmatched. WebSimon Willis is a travel writer and freelance journalist flirting with both South America and Europe. The fact that so many of us are still friends today, twenty years on, (and reeling about his death) says a lot about his ability to build, and inspire, a team. Cookies are also used for Google Ads personalisation. Steve and Willy were like Morecambe and Wise except I was never sure which was which. WebSimon Willis Contributor, AFAR Medelln Travel As seen in: AFAR, Medium, MSN, The Guardian, Daily Mirror, Financial Times, Nature, 1843, Die Welt, The Economist, Yahoo Fighting for quality news media in the digital age. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Jonny Bierman, who provided additional reporting, is a Vancouver-based sustainable travel journalist and photographer. This is a terrible loss for all those who knew him and a great loss too for the newspaper industry in which he was a giant. I can hardly believe it. He truly was the heart and soul of the Mirror office and his loss will be sorely felt by everyone lucky enough to have worked with him. Rules had changed and marriage ceremonies had been sanctioned at venues other than churches and register offices. Willy was a one-off. Works with leading outdoor brands. WebSimon Willis Cameraman in Scotland, United Kingdom. Ive received a face full of spit during an ancestral healing in Quito and played with wolves in Quebec. I recall him once ringing me at home one weekend to discuss that days edition and me finding it hard to get my mother, who was round for Sunday lunch, off the call. Condolences to his family ,friends and colleagues. Co-founder Simon Willis and presenters Alex Gaumond and Louise Dearman on Stage Door Internet radio station for musical theatre. M xxx @dullington pic.twitter.com/naibk0O8Dz, Martin Burgess-Moon ?? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. His sudden death is not just a terrible loss to journalism but also an immeasurable loss to his wife Nicky and their two sons Theo and Henry whose progress he loved to talk about. I knew Peter for more than 30 years. Its not forgotten.. He was magnetic and when my Fleet Street days were over, I revisited those colourful times often in fond memory. Willis has worked as a freelance TV cameraman, photographer and media consultant. Peter had unbridled enthusiasm for every story he assigned and would give writers full, exacting briefs. Switzerland (and neighboring Lichtenstein) use a J plug; travelers from the U.S. and Canada will need either a SEV 1011 or Earplug converter and an adapter for 240 V electricity. One of his favourite stories was the time in January 1923 when the aristocratic Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, newly engaged to The Duke of York, naively gave an interview to an audacious Mirror hack whoknocked on the door of her London residence with a photographer in tow. Great journalist.We had some larks back in the day. Hire me. Thoughts with his family and friends. Prince Charles, who knew Willis through his work with Pride of Britain, said: As The Pride of Britain became an established event, celebrating the great people of this country, Peter always insisted one of my Trusts young people was included. https://t.co/to7JTxUByK, Heartbroken for his family. I was part of a formidable features department he led at the Mirror. The Sagitta II, a 12.5m yacht built and owned by experienced seaman Simon Willis. How he got half the celebrities to turn up for Pride of Britain was always a source of light-hearted speculation but as Peter could charm the skin off a snake, I put it down to that! A genuinely good bloke who threw his heart and soul into his baby the Pride of Britain Awards. And on top of all that he created Pride of Britain. We were showbiz rivals as boyreporters. He achieved so much as scoop finder extraordinaire and editor of three national titles in an incredibly varied career. You dont me Jo. Simon is a sports nut, and when he is not adventure-seeking he is following his beloved Barnsley Football Club. Switzerland flourishes as a country of innovation and diversity while putting an emphasis on protecting its pristine nature, timeworn architecture, and unique traditions. Peters particular talent was to develop an idea from nothing and he certainly did that by creating Pride of Britain which will be his enduring media legacy. I continue to use many of his journalism tips and techniques today. Me. You could say there were three of us in our marriage. Simon Grundy celebrates 25 years of broadcasting on Wearside, It didnt have to be like this Local BBC Radio cuts by Nicky Horne, BBC Radio Nottingham daytime host Mark Dennison to depart, Caroline Martin announces her departure from BBC Radio WM, Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston give away 1m on Heart, BBC Chairman Richard Sharp to step down from his role, Folded Wing creates new Jamie Cullum for in-flight programmes, BBC local radio strike suspended and MP blasts BBC management, Pure to discontinue Flow platform for internet radio devices, Richard Park opens up on his radio career in new podcast, CMA to campaign for longer community radio licences following survey, BBC Radio 1 launches outreach programme ahead of Big Weekend, RadioToday is part of the TodayToday network, We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. He has contributed to the Washington Post, Independent, Yorkshire Post, Colombia Reports and Argentina Independent, among other publications. Simon had been ill for the last few years fighting cancer. This page was last edited on 17 August 2020, at 08:18. Article(s) of the same category(ies), https://en.everybodywiki.com/index.php?title=Simon_Willis&oldid=961327. Without his drive, creativity and tenacity, Pride of Britain would never have become the national institution it is today. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. https://t.co/pXl27LlZR9, Lisa Marks ???? I loved working for him. I have known Simon Willis since I was 14 (along with Lynne M). A former travel writer for The Sunday Times and TGO - The Great Outdoors, he is a past winner of the Travelex Award for travel writing. List of current BBC newsreaders and reporters. Award winning coaching films. My love to his family, friends and colleagues., Daily Mirror editor Alison Phillips said Willis was warm, kind, funny and an incredible journalist and Sunday People and Mirror editor Gemma Aldridge said: I still cant quite believe it. International airports in the cities of Zurich, Geneva, and Basel are serviced by multiple airlines, including Swiss. 5 Reasons Why Switzerland Is the Ultimate Winter Escape for Every Traveler, Christmas Markets in Europe to Get You in the Holiday Spirit, The Family Getaway of Your Dreams Awaits in the Valais Region of Switzerland, Why The Top of Europe is the Stylish Adventure You Need, The Best Skiing (and Spas) in Valais, Switzerland, The Most Romantic Experiences in Switzerland, The Best Walks, Rides, and Drives in Switzerland, The Most Luxurious Experiences in Switzerland. He writes travel guides and destination articles to fund his addiction to wheat-based snacks and ice pops. He was someone to laugh with and cry with, and all the bits in between. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Also a boss who took the Christmas party so seriously he once gave us time off to go to a fancy dress shop so our costumes would look fab., Amanda Cable said: Peter was one of the best-loved journos in the business. WebTools. Always passionate about stories, always interested in your opinion, always kind. His legacy in creating the Pride of Britain awards will be unmatched. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Awful., Feature writer and editor Clare Goldwin said: Unbelievably sad. Switzerland is home to a plethora of mountain restaurants with jaw-dropping views. He never shied away from telling the difficult stories of young people who had struggled with drugs, homelessness, imprisonment or mental health issues and managed to turn their lives around. Im Simon (the one in the hat). He always knew what was needed to add that extra bit of magic and sparkle to the event every year and he never gave up in his pursuit of perfection. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. You couldnt help but be swept along by Peters unlimited enthusiasm for the job with an intensity and attention to detail worthy of Oxford Universitys debating society. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. WebJournalist Name Simon Willis Country based in Colombia Website https://simonwillistravels.wordpress.com/ Profile Im a travel journalist specializing in And, a talented journalist. He was a force of nature, full of life and a genius ideas man, even if many were totally bonkers. Travel Journalist covering Latin America and Switzerland. So many people are hurting today, including Im sure yourself and your husband. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. My favourite memory of him was calling him from South Africa where I had spent the morning with a baby dying from Aids. before becoming group executive editor and director of the Pride of Britain Awards, which he founded, last year. For adrenaline junkies, the dramatic geography means off-piste skiing, ice climbing, and one of the most renowned ski tours on Earth. A big part of the 90s re-shaping at R1.. He was a fantasticDeputy Editor in my last years in the chair. He was their champion. Ive explored drug lords ranches for the Washington Post and snapchatted for Matador Network about eating a Swiss cheese sandwich. His passion, drive and commitment was proof that perpetual motion is indeed possible. and here it is. Switzerlands business ethic is offset every summer by a range of festivals. Celebrities used in these fake advertorials include Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones from Dragon's Den, Ant McPartlin of presenting duo Ant and Dec, billionaire businessmen Lord Sugar, Sir Philip Green and Sir James Dyson, presenters Simon Cowell and Holly Willoughby, and former Love Island contestant Charlie Brake. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Im an interviewer at the Daily Mail now, but, like so many, I wouldnt have my career without Pete. Simon Willis is a British journalist, and former BBC TV newsreader and reporter. The call ended with him regaling me about how he had booked an Elvis impersonator for the Christmas party. Funny, incredibly talented and a kind man. When getting around by vehicle, drivers must purchase a tax disc (vignette), costing 40 Swiss francs (US$45). Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Among the most celebrated festivals is Swiss National Day on August 1; on this date seven centuries ago, the regions of the area took an oath of allegiance. Join over a million of the worlds best travelers. Plan routes throughout the country on electric trains powered by renewable energy, hybrid-electric buses, and boats using the SBB Mobile transit app. Vice News to 'streamline' with 'painful but necessary' job cuts, David Aaronovitch on Substack launch, Times exit and freedom to write about Murdoch, Podcast 44: Life after The Times for David Aaronovitch: Going solo on Substack, Three journalists locked up for covering M25 protest: Herts Police personally apologises, MacKenzie, Murdoch and the hunt for tabloid gold in the digital era, Charging journalists for Twitter would be bad business and a blow to press freedom, Podcast 43: How to build a podcast from scratch with Andrew Harrison of Podmasters, Podcast 42: The future of music journalism with NME Networks Holly Bishop, Editorial standards/Complaints and Corrections, Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent. Reach chief executive Jim Mullen said: I am deeply saddened by the loss of Peter and my sympathies go out to his family and friends. Sri Lanka Cricket has appointed Kent coach Simon Willis to the post of high performance manager. Very sad news. Showreel & work examples SimonWillis.TV. In pic 1 hes in his flat on Grand Parade with a Radio Times. Above everything, Peter was immensely likeable, charming and witty. Hed even dictate the precise questions he wanted you to ask interviewees which usually guaranteed a fresh new angle and arresting headline. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Now comes the discipline: How companies are punishing work-from-home holdouts, Return to office: How companies are punishing holdouts, This 'Lost City' In Cambodia Is As Mesmerising As Angkor Wat, This 'Lost City' in Cambodia Is As Mesmerizing As Angkor Wat, With None of the Crowds, Rivian's post-IPO year from hell: How R.J. Scaringe's electric truckmaker stumbled, These Delicious Gins Distill the Essence of Singapore Into a Glass, Stealth remote workers are logging in from Bali-but keeping it secret, EPA Proposes to Designate Two PFAS Chemicals as Hazardous Substances Under CERCLA: Quick Answers to Top Questions | JD Supra, Responsible investment is the right response to news distrust, The Next Great Wave Of Craft Gin Has Arrived - In Singapore, The Next Great Wave of Craft Gin Has Arrived - in Singapore, This Writer Discovers The Secrets Of The Macquarie Islands On A Cruise, Indonesia's new capital city of Nusantara isn't living up to its symbolism, UK ceramist fired up for Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, Single-photoelectron collection efficiency in 4D ultrafast electron microscopy, Companies leaving Hong Kong are eyeing Singapore, How bone-dry Beijing created snow for the games with Finnish expert Mikko Martikainen. With his infectious enthusiasm for newspapers, he was always on hand to help those around him. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Hard to believe hes gone. Most trains have dedicated spaces for luggage, skis, and snowboards, and many ski hills have trams and gondolas that run straight from train station terminals. Morgans former colleague on Good Morning Britain Susanna Reid, a Pride of Britain judge, said: Great sadness at the loss of such a lovely, kind man. A mentor to myself and many others, his death leaves a huge void. A mentor to myself and many others, his death leaves a huge void. Most of the younger generation speak English. RIP legend. Every evening he was driven to make the edition as good as it possibly could be as we went to press. Mail on Sunday showbiz editor Katie Hind described Willis as the loveliest, most thoughtful, wonderful man and the most brilliant journalist while former Daily Mirror head of features Carole Watson said he was a kind, loyal and super-talented friend and colleague. WebCo-founder Simon Willis, head of content for Wise Buddah, talksabout the proposed new Internet radio station dedicated to musicaltheatre called Stage Door and about the crowd Gavin Marshall (@gavinmarshall1) March 3, 2021, Thinking about Simon Willis. The currency is the Swiss franc, though sometimes euros are accepted. God, Ill miss him. Then he broke his back. After all, the beauty of this country is best seen by taking it slow on foot or bike and staring out the train window with a camera in hand. Showreel & work examples SimonWillis.TV. This article "Simon Willis" is from Wikipedia. The most bizarre moment was Peter somehow persuading bemused onlookers in the newsroom to form a human arch which the newlyweds had to walk under. This foundation of modern-day Switzerland is celebrated vehemently every year, and each region marks the occasion in its own manner, usually with fireworks, bonfires, lavish parades, floats, and music. Find me on The The whole thing was bonkers but typical of Peters cleverness and sense of fun. Hayley Barlow (@Hayley_Barlow) June 28, 2021, Picture: Arthur Edwards WPA Pool/Getty Images, Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one. Heres Simon Willis in Plymouth in the early 90s. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. A combination of three vastly different food cultures has kept the Swiss at the forefront of celebrated gastronomy. Solo yachtie's miracle survival tale. Then, in the morning he would call me to say how we could have made it even better. WebSimon Willis | Travel Writer and Journalist About Me Im Simon (the one in the hat).